World Populations And Development :: essays research papers

World Populations and Development1.)     The Neolithic and Industrial RevolutionsThe two changes in the use of the earths resources that had the greatest effecton the world population were the neolithic and the industrial revolutions.The neolithic revolution (a.k.a. agricultural revolution) was a change in theway of look of our ancestors. It took place about 8000 years ago among varioustribes in Asia and the Middle East. It included a transition from foraging andhunting to the domestication of animals (most probably starting with the dog)and to farming. Tribes settled in fertile areas and formed agriculturalcommunities galore(postnominal) of which grew into villages and cities. This relatively stableway of life and the more reliable food supply (and surplus) led to thedevelopment of new professions, to labor specialization and ultimately to thesocial stratification of these societies. Improved conditions of life led to somewhatlonger life spans. Nevertheless p opulation growth remained low due to highinfant mortality rates. The encroachment of the neolithic revolution was not as muchon immediate population growth (even though it did have a long term squeeze onpopulation growth) as on the material and spiritual development of the humanrace. It is widely regarded as the beginning of civilization. Industrialrevolution was another surgical operation of change. It was the process of substitutingmuscle ability with machine power. It took place in the 18th century in Europeand is still happening in numerous parts of the world. In many characteristics ithas been similar to the neolithic revolution it increased production, it led tothe use of resources that had been mostly unused until then and it improved theoverall flavour of life. It also led to changes in the structure of society.What was different, was its impact on population growth. It was quick and easilynoticeable. Advanced sanitation, hygiene and medicine led to longer life spansan d declining death rates, with the birth rates remaining high. This resultedin a high rate of population growth that still continues in many countries. Theinformation revolution is the process of change that began in the second half ofthe 20th century in the developed countries of the world. It is the process ofsubstituting "brain power" with "machine power". It leads to increasedproduction and has the potential to create a more even distribution of theworlds population on the surface of the earth. It also has the potential todecrease the differences mingled with the less developed and the highly developednations of the world. Then again it also has the potential to increase thosedifferences. It causes changes in the structure of society.